TAPS Program

$32,000

The Technology Access Program for Seniors (TAPS) is a program that started in 2021 as way to teach digital literacy to seniors. Over the past year the program has continued to grow and has provided digital assistance to many seniors around the city of Brandon.

With support from Brandon Area Community Foundation, United Way Brandon & District, and the Youth in Philanthropy program, the TAPS program has expanded to be available in seven different senior centred locations throughout Brandon. Over time, the program has transformed to allow participants the option to “bring their own device” to help them navigate through their own questions and challenges.

Over 700 appointments have been completed through the TAPS program and the one-on-one learning continues each day. This intergenerational program relies on volunteers from Brandon high schools to help facilitate the teaching of technology. The program is a win-win for both generations, where teens learn to guide and teach, while the seniors develop new digital skills.

Brandon Seniors for Seniors and the Brandon Area Community Foundation have worked closely together to grow this program. Both groups have helped build the vision of what the TAPS program could be and helped to execute it along the way. TAPS is generously funded by BACF, Brockie Donovan Senior’s Care Legacy Fund, Green Acres Lodge Fund and Dr. Stuart & Mickey Hampton Fund.

TAPS is working hard to continue to offer this incredible service to as many seniors as possible in Brandon. Future goals include offering appointments in more centres and building their volunteer base.

Brandon’s Food for Thought

$15,000

With 25 years of keeping stomachs full and minds sharp, Brandon’s Food for Thought has a long history of being an integral program in our local schools. The program that started in just one school in 1998 has grown to be offered in 19 schools across the Brandon School Division, with four breakfast schools and fifteen snack schools. This program ensures that students have access to a nutritious breakfast, snack, and/or lunch every day, and helps to prepare students to play and learn at school all day long.

A quick walk through a grocery store will help anyone understand why more children are accessing this program each year. Brandon’s Food for Thought recognizes that kids come to school hungry for many reasons. Some of the reasons may include rushed mornings, taking care of siblings, no access to food at home, grocery day is tomorrow, sleeping in, long bus rides or early drop offs. No matter the reason, this program welcomes everyone to grab a nutritious snack. In the 2021-2022 school year Brandon’s Food for Thought fed over 132,000 students from grades K to 12. That is over 750 students a day!

Angie Strachan, the Program Coordinator at Brandon’s Food for Thought, spoke of the need they see every day in schools. She notes that this program is not designed to replace meals brought from home but is instead aimed at complimenting and providing nutrition to ensure each child’s success. Eventually, they would love to see the program grow to reach more children in neighbouring school divisions. However, to support this growth, they need to secure reliable funding.

The Food for Thought program runs based on the generosity of donations from charities, Brandon Area Community Foundation, corporate donors, individuals, and businesses in both food and monetary donations. The program focuses on supporting a community that supports them by shopping locally for food and supplies.

Brandon Area Community Foundation supports Brandon’s Food for Thought by granting the program funding for food from fall to early spring when the program needs it the most. Brandon’s Food for Thought has also reaped the benefits of being chosen by the Youth in Philanthropy program as a charity they support. The Youth in Philanthropy program is funded by Brandon Area Community Foundation and United Way Brandon & District.

To learn more about Brandon’s Food for Thought Program visit their website at brandonsfoodforthought.com